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Canadian frigate HMCS Regina seizes 132 kg of heroin off the east coast of Africa

Crewmembers from Her Majesty's Canadian Ship REGINA catalogue and destroy 132 kg of seized heroin on the ship's quarterdeck following the boarding of a dhow during Operation ARTEMIS, off the coast of Africa on March 31, 2014.Photo: Cpl Michael Bastien, MARPAC Imaging Services

The Canadian frigate HMCS Regina seized 132 kilograms of heroin from drug runners in the Indian Ocean this week.

National Defence says the warship intercepted a boat March 31 off the east coast of Africa carrying 132 packages of heroin — which has a street value of about $26 million in Canada, according to the website Havocscope, which tracks black market prices. The drugs were destroyed at sea.

This was HMCS Regina’s first drug bust as part of Operation ARTEMIS, a multinational effort that includes 30 countries patrolling the seas for various threats. In addition to clamping down on drug trafficking, the operation also includes measures against terrorism and piracy.

National Defence did not say where the drugs originated or where they were bound, but Defence Minister Rob Nicholson said Monday’s heroin bust demonstrated the government’s resolve in “keeping illicit narcotics off Canadian streets.”

The naval boarding party of Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship REGINA prepares to board a dhow during routine Operation ARTEMIS maritime security and counter-terrorism operations, off the coast of Africa on March 31, 2014.(Image has been digitally altered due to operational security).

Crewmembers from HMCS Regina catalogue and destroy 132 kg of seized heroin on the ship’s quarterdeck following the boarding of a dhow during Operation ARTEMIS, off the coast of Africa on March 31, 2014.(Cpl Michael Bastien, MARPAC Imaging Services)